Course organisation

The course is spread over a three-year period and provides for the acquisition of:

• knowledge in the basic and clinical sciences for a better understanding of the most relevant elements underlying the physiological and pathological processes to which preventive, physiotherapeutic/rehabilitation and educational intervention is addressed;
• ability to address and analyse problems with a unitary vision, extended also to the psychological and socio-cultural dimensions of the health-disease-care and physiotherapy/rehabilitation processes;
• intervention methodologies specific to the physiotherapist;
• knowledge of the ethical, deontological and legal dimensions of his work;
• relational skills to be expressed both in the helping relationship with patients and in integration with the various professional figures.

The sectors are: Child, Adult, Elderly.

The areas are: Orthopaedic, Neurological, Cardiology, Sports, Rheumatology, Respiratory, Paediatric, Geriatric, Neuropsychology, Gynaecology, Surgery, etc.

For the Degree Course in Physiotherapy, no less than 180 ECTS credits in total are to be acquired, spread over three years and divided into 60 ECTS credits per year, of which:

• 120 ECTS credits comprise lectures (ex cathedra) and tutorial teaching in small groups (1 ECTS credit = 7 hours); Elective Teaching Activities (seminars, single-subject courses, provided by the University or by providers recognised by the Ministry) (1 ECTS credit = 15/25 hours);
• 60 ECTS credits to be acquired in training activities aimed at the maturation of specific professional skills (internship).

Attendance is compulsory for all Course activities.
 

By law, there is no provision for part-time and/or student-worker attendance.

ECTS credits represent the unit of measurement of the work required of the student for the completion of each educational activity prescribed by the regulations of the degree courses in order to obtain a university degree.

The structure and organisation of teaching activities, as well as the organisation of the course, are explained in detail in the Physiotherapy degree course regulations.
The structure and organisation of internship activities are explained in detail in the Internship Regulations of the Degree Course in Physiotherapy.

Each of the three years of the course is organised into two semesters, alternating intensive periods of:

• theoretical training activities (lectures) and laboratory exercises: in the afternoons (2-6 p.m.), Monday to Friday, from the beginning of October to mid-June
• professional training activities (internships): in the mornings (8 a.m.-1 p.m.), Monday to Friday, throughout the academic year
• individual study.

The Degree Course in Physiotherapy is held on the premises of the Department of Medicine and Surgery in Parma and in the training section in Piacenza.

The activities are:

• Basic FRONTAL LECTURES: in PR
• Characterising FRONTAL LECTURES: in PR and in Fiorenzuola (in relation to the place of enrolment)
• Integrative Didactic Activities: in PR and in Fiorenzuola (in relation to the place of enrolment)
• Elective Didactic Activities in PR and in Fiorenzuola (in relation to the formative seat of enrolment)
• CLINICAL LABORATORIES: in PR and in Fiorenzuola (in relation to the formative seat of enrolment)
• INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES: in the provinces of Parma and Piacenza; also in the student's home province.

The internship sites are facilities that have an agreement with the university including:

•  Rehabilitation services and wards of the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma
•  Rehabilitation services and wards of the Azienda USL di Parma
•  Rehabilitation services and wards of the Azienda USL di Piacenza
•  Private rehabilitation centres affiliated with the National Health Service
•  Private rehabilitation clinics
•  Nursing homes
•  Sheltered accommodation for the elderly
•  Sports teams